Türkiye revives Pakistan and Afghan talks in Istanbul

Pakistan has agreed to restart talks with the Afghan Taliban in Istanbul on Thursday, after Türkiye renewed its mediation efforts.

The latest discussions come a day after Islamabad announced that negotiations had broken down despite strong efforts by mediators from Türkiye and Qatar. However, Türkiye requested both sides to stay and give dialogue another chance, leading Pakistan’s delegation to extend its visit instead of returning home.

According to sources, Türkiye played a major role in convincing both sides to continue talks in hopes of easing border tensions and restoring regional peace. The discussions are expected to focus on Pakistan’s main demand that Afghanistan take strict action against militant groups using Afghan territory to launch attacks on Pakistan.

Earlier, Federal Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar said that despite repeated efforts, Pakistan had not received cooperation from the Afghan Taliban regarding cross-border terrorism. He stated that Pakistani officials have continuously urged Kabul to honor commitments made under the Doha Agreement and act against groups like the TTP and BLA, which Islamabad says are backed by India.

Tarar emphasized that Pakistan will continue its counter-terror operations to dismantle terrorist networks and protect its citizens. Sources said Afghan representatives declined to provide written assurances against the TTP, while Pakistan insisted on verifiable guarantees that Afghan soil would not be used for terrorism.

Meanwhile, mediators acknowledged Pakistan’s security concerns and noted their importance for lasting regional stability. With talks restarting, expectations remain cautious, but diplomatic efforts continue to prevent further escalation and promote peace in the region.